Commanders hire veteran coach Steve Wilks for game-planning role
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The gist
The Washington Commanders hired veteran defensive coach Steve Wilks to help with game planning during the week.
Wilks won't be on game days, so his impact comes through preparation.
Background
Steve Wilks is a 56-year-old veteran defensive coach whose NFL career began in 2006 as the Bears' defensive backs coach; he has since been a head coach with the Cardinals, interim head coach with the Panthers and defensive coordinator with the 49ers and Jets. The Commanders, the NFL team led by head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, brought him in to work with the defensive coaches. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the move was planned since before the season started and was not a reaction to recent results. Wilks' most recent NFL job was as the Jets' defensive coordinator in 2025, a role he was fired from in December.
How it unfolded
- 2006Wilks began his NFL coaching career with the Bears as their defensive backs coach.
- 2018He was the Cardinals' head coach and was fired after one season.
- 2022He served as the Panthers' interim head coach after Matt Rhule was fired, leading Carolina to a 6-6 record.
- 2023He was the 49ers' defensive coordinator when the team reached the Super Bowl.
- 2025The Jets hired him as defensive coordinator under new head coach Aaron Glenn; he was fired in December as the defense ranked No. 20 in total yards allowed and No. 30 in points allowed.
- Oct 21, 2026The Commanders hired Wilks to work with the team's coaches under Dan Quinn and Daronte Jones, helping with game planning during the week.
- Oct 21, 2026Reports said Wilks comes in on Sundays and departs after practice on Wednesdays, and that he will not be with the team on game days.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the hire was planned since before the season and was not a response to anything in recent weeks.
- Caution
- Wilks' last NFL stint with the Jets ended in a December firing after the defense ranked near the bottom of the league in points and rushing yards allowed.